2009

Girls from Oz in Halls Creek - development

Discussions began in March 2008 between g-oz Chair Nicole Muir and Sciona Browne from the Halls Creek Better Life Project about the possibility of Girls from Oz collaborating with community leaders in Halls Creek to deliver diverse performing arts programs to young people in Halls Creek. We will initially connect with teenage indigenous girls who are disengaged from their school and lack opportunities to explore life outside of Halls Creek. Plans are underway and partnerships being developed for our recurring visits in March, May, August and October 2010.

The program is the result of community and school leaders looking for ways to help build confidence and self-esteem in Aboriginal youth in the Kimberley. There is a particular need in this area for girls and young women.
The objectives of the project are to:

• open up opportunities for Aboriginal youth in Halls Creek and g-oz and Australian Girls Choir members to share experiences and establish friendships. We hope that this connection will broaden the horizons of both groups; 
• provide dynamic educational programs encompassing contemporary song, music, dance and drama;
• mentor young (and not so young) adults in the Halls Creek community to explore their own potential as performings arts leaders; 
• create an environment where Aboriginal youth can, by sharing culture, story-telling and participating in performing arts workshops, build confidence and enhance self esteem;
• focus on engaging Aboriginal girls and young women who have dropped out of school and/or are unemployed and vulnerable to welfare-based, dysfunctional life-styles;